OREANDA-NEWS. August 13, 2008. Mining Chemical Combine (MCC) is completing the final stage of its project to launch a production of semi-conductor silicon. The system is to be launched in Sept 2008. The preparations are well underway.

“We are actively preparing for the launch. If earlier we had some problems with equipment deliveries now we have caught up with the schedule. Presently, we are carrying out start-up operations,” the director of Polycrystalline Silicon Plant Alexander Prochankin told us while showing the plant.

The plant’s stockroom can hold almost 1,000 kg of polycrystalline silicon — a one-time output.

We were allowed to see experimental polycrystalline silicon rods. The rods are produced from monocrystalline core rods. The color is silver-gray and diameter almost 70 mm on an average but some rods are 100 mm in diameter with the target diameter being 125 mm.

The first monocrytalline silicon rod was produced in Oct 2007. It weighed 42 kg, was 150 mm in diameter and 580 mm long.

The initial capacity of the system will be 200 tons of polycrystalline silicon a year but within three years it will be raised to 2,000 tons a year.

We’ll see it with our own eyes!

In the reactor room of Polycrystalline Silicon Plant we saw six hydrogen reduction units, designed and produced by Krasnoyarsk Machine Building Plant.

“These units make silicon from a mixture of chlorosilanes reduced by hydrogen. The room has enough area for 14 such units. So, we are planning to enlarge our production,” Prochankin said.

Sept 2008 will mark the beginning of a new stage in the life of the plant. This system is crucial for the whole sector. It will be a landmark event, real breaking news.

It’s time, ahead!

The process control engineer of the plant Aleksey Yeremeyev is happy to have a chance to work at such a facility:

“I am 24 years old. After defending my thesis I first worked as an operator and then was appointed as process control engineer. My task is process analysis. I work on computer and from time to time make rounds of the plant to collect necessary information. Then I analyze the data and the ratio between the quantity of produced polycrystalline silicon and the time of production, the quantity of reagents, the pressure in the reactor and the temperature of the core rods.”

“It is a very interesting amazing job. Time is flying, the historic date is coming nigh, the responsibility is growing. I am sure that it will be increasingly interesting to work here: the production will be developing, the tasks becoming increasingly complex.”

The deputy head of the Polycrystalline Silicon Workshop Alexander Stenin is very busy now:

“Most of our personnel are engaged in poly-silicon production. I see that they try to go deep into the process, to analyze what they do, to improve themselves. We are not afraid of difficulties. By overcoming difficulties we are gaining experience – and there is nothing more valuable than experience.”

The whole team of the plant is working hard now: everybody is looking forward to Sept. So, follow the news!